WO2008064755A1 - Valve apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention proposes a valve apparatus (1) which has a valve support (2) with internal valve support channels (15). On the valve support (2) there are several fitting points (12) for individual fitting with control units (3), wherein at least one special control unit (3b) is present which simultaneously covers several adjacent fitting points (12) with an intermediate plate (24). At least one control valve (4) of the special control unit (3b) is connected to the valve support channels (15) which open on the covered fitting points (12) by means of an intermediate plate channel arrangement (28) which goes through the intermediate plate (24)

Description

 FESTO AG & Co, 73734 Esslingen

valve means

The invention relates to a valve device, comprising a valve carrier which has an assembly surface, which is divided into a plurality of consecutive placement in a row direction, each leading to several Ventilträger- channels of the valve carrier passing through valve carrier channel arrangement and the individually with at least one Control valve having control units can be fitted.

A valve device of this type, known from EP 1 637 789 A1, contains a plate-shaped valve carrier which is equipped with a multiplicity of control units, which are each mounted on a mounting location specifically assigned to them. The width of the individual control units corresponds to the width of the individual placement places. A valve member of the associated control unit is supplied with fluidic pressure medium via valve carrier ducts of the valve support member which pass through the valve support, wherein the control valve is seated on an intermediate plate or can be mounted directly on the mounting position. The use of an intermediate plate allows a specific influencing of the fluid flowing over between the valve carrier and the control valve, for example a pressure regulation. EP 0 584 494 A1 describes the optional equipment of a valve device with adapter plates in order to be able to jointly install control valves of different valve series on the same valve carrier.

DE 44 44 024 A1 describes a valve device in which directly formed by control valves, no intermediate plates having control units are mounted directly to individual placement stations of a valve carrier. A comparable arrangement disclosed in DE 298 10 091 Ul, where there is described the further possibility of combining control valves with different widths on a valve carrier.

The possibility of equipping a valve carrier with control units which have an intermediate plate results in a high variability for the use of the valve device. In some cases, however, this is not enough to meet the specific needs of the users. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a valve device of the type mentioned at the outset which permits a more variable fluidic connection in order to easily expand the field of application of the valve device.

To solve this problem, the assembly area of the valve carrier is equipped with at least one special control unit which has an intermediate plate which has its underside attached to the assembly surface and thereby covers a plurality of immediately adjacent placement spaces due to its corresponding width covered loading locations with the valve carrier channel arrangement is interspersed and the at least one of the Intermediate plate duct assembly carries connected control valve.

While the standard control units always occupy only one placement space, the intermediate plate 5 of the special control unit extends over at least two mutually adjacent placement places. As a result, a relatively large overall width of the intermediate plate is available for the internal intermediate plate channel arrangement, which makes it possible to realize even complex fluidic circuits, the whole in conjunction with a low height of the intermediate plate if required. Particularly advantageous is the possibility of incorporating one or more of the valve carrier channels opening out at the several covered placement stations into a fluidic circuit which is defined by the intermediate plate channel arrangement and the at least one control valve of the special control unit arranged on the intermediate plate.

It has proved particularly expedient to choose the dimensions of the intermediate plate of the special control unit so that it covers exactly two adjacent placement locations.

If the assembly area has a correspondingly large number of placement locations, several special control units can be mounted at the same time or a mixture

25 from at least one special control unit and at least one only one placement space covering conventional control unit. This results in a modular structure with a variety of equipment options of the valve device and consequently a high variability the Einsatzmöglichkei-

30 th. Advantageous developments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims.

An embodiment of the valve device is considered particularly expedient, in which the intermediate plate channel arrangement of the at least one special control unit comprises at least one connecting channel which connects at least two control valves belonging to the special control unit. In addition or as an alternative, at least one connecting channel of the intermediate plate channel arrangement can connect at least two valve carrier channels which terminate at different covered insertion positions.

By using at least one such connecting channel, for example, it is possible to connect two control valves with one another such that a connected individual working channel of the valve carrier channel arrangement is supplied with pressure medium only if both control valves are actuated at the same time. As a result, a safety circuit suitable for controlling presses can be realized very simply and with a compact design.

There is also the possibility of providing a connecting channel with such a course that it simultaneously communicates with working channels of the valve carrier channel arrangement opening out at a plurality of loading stations. This allows a simultaneous supply of fluid to several consumers or, when the working channels are combined, the supply of a consumer with an increased flow.

In particular, it is also possible to equip the intermediate plate with at least one vacuum generating device. With appropriate design of the intermediate plate Channel arrangement, a negative pressure caused by a single vacuum generating device can simultaneously abut against a plurality of working channels and be tapped. Likewise, multiple vacuum generators can be controlled simultaneously by means of a single control valve. The vacuum generating devices include in particular a working according to the ejector principle suction nozzle.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this show:

1 is a perspective view of a preferred first embodiment of the valve device according to the invention, in the equipped with only one special control unit state, the other placement places are shown unpopulated,

FIG. 2 shows the valve device from FIG. 1 in an end view as viewed in the direction of arrow II, dash-dotted lines showing further optionally installable control units,

FIG. 3 shows a perspective illustration of another preferred embodiment of the valve device in a manner of representation comparable to that of FIG. 1, although a different type of special control unit is present, and

FIG. 4 shows an end view of the valve device from FIG. 3s with viewing direction according to arrow IV.

The designated in its entirety by reference numeral 1 valve device is designed as a valve manifold and includes a valve carrier 2, which is simultaneously with a plurality of Control units 3 can be equipped, each containing at least one, preferably electrically actuated, control valve 4.

The control valves 4 include a main valve part 5 equipped with a movable valve member, not shown, and at least one drive part 6 associated therewith. The drive part 6 can be electrically activated and causes the respective desired switching state of the main valve part 5. In the drive part 6 is in connection with a directly controlled control valve 4 in particular an electromagnet and in the case of a pilot-operated control valve 4 to an electrically actuated pilot valve, in particular a solenoid valve. The drive part 6 may include a plurality of electromagnets and / or pilot valves.

In FIGS. 2 and 4, the respective switching symbol is still shown in each case for the control valves 4. It is clear that the control valves 4 can be, for example, 3/2-way valves as in FIG. 4 or else 5/2 way valves as in the case of FIG. 2.

The outer surface of the valve carrier 2 forms a preferably e- bene mounting surface 7, to which the control units 3, preferably releasably, can be attached. The assembly area 7 is in this case divided into a plurality of sequential insertion positions 12 in a row direction indicated by a double arrow which can be used for equipping with the control units 3. The row direction 8 coincides in particular with the longitudinal axis of the valve carrier 2.

The control units 3 expediently have an elongated shape. Its longitudinal axis 13 is perpendicular to the Row direction 8. The same applies to the respective elongated placement places 12th

The valve carrier 2 is penetrated by a valve carrier channel arrangement 14 which is designated in its entirety by reference numeral 14 and consists of a plurality of valve carrier channels 15. Expediently, at least one feed channel 15a which can be connected to an external pressure source P and at least one discharge channel 15b, 15c which can be connected to a pressure sink R, S, in particular the atmosphere, is located below the valve carrier channels 15. By way of example, two mutually parallel discharge channels 15b, 15c are present in order to allow optimal fluid removal, especially in the case of control valves 4 with four-way or five-way functionality. The feed channel 15a and the discharge channels 15b, 15c i5 extend in the interior of the valve carrier 2 in the row direction 8, each of them discharging to each placement place 12. The corresponding channel openings are identified by reference numerals 15a ¹ , 15b ¹ , 15c ¹ .

Under the valve carrier channels 15 are also Aro 2o beitskanäle 15 d, 15 e. While the feed channels 15a, 15b, 15c are assigned to all placement locations 12 together, ie, one can speak of a common feed channel 15a and common discharge channels 15b, 15c, the working channels 15d, 15e are designed as individual channels, to each placement place 12, an individual first working channel 15d and in particular also an individual second working channel 15e opens out. The associated channel mouths are indicated by reference numerals 15d ', 15e'. These individual working channels 15d, 15e are not interconnected within the 3o valve carrier 2. At their positions opposite the placement sites 12, the working channels 15d, 15e open via a respective consumer connection opening 16 enabling a connection to a surface 7 of the valve carrier 2 which is referred to below as a consumer connection surface 17. The consumer connection openings 16 are not further shown connection means, to each of which a leading to the consumer fluid line, in particular releasably, can be connected. The connection means are, for example, threads or connectors.

Preferably, the consumer pad 17 is oriented at right angles to the mounting surface 7. The consumer connection openings 16 of the working areas 15 d, 15 e leading to the respective same placement space 12 are preferably arranged one above the other in the height direction 18 of the valve device 1 indicated by a double arrow, the height direction 18 being oriented at right angles to the assembly area 7.

The channel mouths 15a ¹ - 15e 'form at all placement places 12 matching mouth pattern. The orifice patterns may correspond in particular to the standards ISO 5599-2 or ISO 15407.

Instead of two individual working channels 15 d, 15 e may be assigned to the individual placement sites 12, if necessary, only an individual working channel.

For simplicity, the various channels in Figures 2 and 4 are partially indicated only schematically by simple lines. While the valve carrier 2 can in principle be made in one piece, it is in the embodiments in each case of several together in the row direction 8 under sealing seated valve carrier segments 22 together. You can, according to the desired length of the valve carrier 2, be combined with each other in a variable number.

In the exemplary embodiments, each valve carrier segment 22 defines two placement places 12 arranged directly next to one another in the row direction 8. In particular, they merge into one another without exception.

For the sake of clarity, the transitional areas between adjacent placement places 12 are indicated by dotted lines 23 in the drawing.

Each placement space 12 is in principle suitable for individual assembly by means of a control unit 3 which is specifically assigned to it and which for the sake of better distinction is referred to below as the standard control unit 3a. The width of each standard control unit 3a measured in the row direction 8 does not exceed the correspondingly measured width of the allocated placement space 12, wherein in particular substantially the same width is present. In the embodiment shown, two standard control units 3a can thus be placed on each valve carrier segment 22 in principle at the same time.

The standard control units 3 a have internal channels (not shown further) which open out to the base area facing the placement space 12 in such a way that, in the installed state, an association-correct connection to the valve carrier channels 15 opening out at the respective placement space 12 takes place. The standard control unit 3a may in the simplest case consist of a control valve 4 alone. In FIG. 2 this applies to the standard control unit 3a shown on the far right. In another variant of the standard control unit 3a -shown secondarily from the right in FIG. 2 -the control valve 4 is seated on an intermediate plate 23 belonging to the standard control unit 3a and is mounted on the latter at the placement space 2. In the intermediate plate 23 run between the control valve 4 and this opposite base surface not shown fluid channels that communicate with the channel mouths 15 a ¹ - 15 e 'of the associated placement space 12. When passing through the intermediate plate 23, the fluid can undergo any treatment, for example pressure regulation or throttling, for which purpose the intermediate plate 23 can be equipped with fluid-influencing means of suitable type (not shown).

At least one control unit 3 of the valve device 1-referred to below as a special control unit 3b-deviates in width from the grid spacing of the placement locations 12 and also that of the standard control units 3a, in that its width is measured in particular as an integral multiple of the ones measured in the row direction 8 Width of a placement space 12 corresponds. In this case, the double width of a placement space 12 realized in the exemplary embodiments is considered to be particularly advantageous.

On the basis of FIGS. 1 and 2 on the one hand and FIGS. 3 and 4 on the other hand, two different types of special control units 3b are explained below, the statements always applying simultaneously to both embodiments, unless stated otherwise in detail. At this point it should be mentioned that different types of special control units 3b can be mounted on one and the same mounting surface 7 of the valve device 1 at the same time. It is also possible to equip the entire mounting surface 7 exclusively with special control units 3b or else with a mixture of any desired number of special control units 3b and standard control units 3a. This allows a variable equipment of the valve device 1, taking into account the respective conditions of use.

The special control unit 3b contains an intermediate plate 24 which carries at least one control valve 4. As far as an intermediate plate is generally referred to below, that means a special control unit 3b. If a reference to the intermediate plate 23 of a standard control unit 3a is intended, this is explicitly mentioned.

The intermediate plate 24 is attached with its underside 25 ahead of the assembly area 7, wherein it covers two immediately adjacent placement locations 12 of the assembly area 7 due to their correspondingly large width. Their measured width in the row direction 8 corresponds to twice the width of a placement space 12, wherein it should be noted that in the embodiment all placement slots 12 have the same dimensions. In addition, each placement space preferably has a rectangular outline.

The intermediate plate 24 may also cover more than two placement slots 12 with correspondingly greater width.

At least one control valve 4 could in principle be mounted on the front side of the preferably parallelepiped-shaped intermediate plate 24 be. However, the design shown is preferred with at least one control valve 4 installed on the upper side 26 of the intermediate plate 24 opposite the valve carrier 2. One can speak here of a height chaining.

In the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, the intermediate plate 24 is equipped with two control valves 4. These sit, in the row direction 8 next to each other, at two correspondingly juxtaposed valve mounting stations 27 of the intermediate plate 24th

lo In the embodiment of Figures 3 and 4, the special control unit 3b is provided at the top 26 of its intermediate plate 24 with only one valve mounting station 27 which is equipped with the single control valve 4 of this special control unit 3b.

The intermediate plate 24 of each special control unit 3b is traversed by an intermediate plate channel arrangement, generally designated by reference numeral 28, which is composed of a plurality of suitably extending intermediate plate channels 32. With some of the intermediate plate channels

20 32 opens the intermediate plate channel assembly 28 so distributed on the bottom 25 of the intermediate plate 24, that various channel connections with the opening out at the covered placement slots 12 valve carrier channels 12 arise.

In this way, a fluid connection between valve carrier channels 15 and intermediate plate channels 32 can take place in the region of each placement space 12 covered by the intermediate plate 24. The channel linkage is therefore not limited to the width of a single placement space 12, but

30 may extend over a greater width. At least some of the intermediate plate channels 32 open (also) to the at least one valve mounting station 27 and are in fluid communication with valve channels 33 of the respective control valve 4 mounted there. The valve channels 33 open at the intermediate plate 24 facing the underside of the relevant control valve 4, that an aligned transition to the valve mounting location 27 existing channel mouths of the intermediate plate channels 32 takes place.

According to the selected configuration of the intermediate plate channel arrangement 28 and the number of existing control valves 4, a fluidic circuit designed for a specific application can be realized within a special control unit 3b. Since valve carrier channels 15 which open out into this assembly at a plurality of placement sites 12 can be incorporated, even very complex and demanding circuits can be implemented in the most confined space, without any additional external line connections.

For example, the special control unit 3b of the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4 is characterized in that the intermediate plate channel arrangement 28 contains two intermediate plate channels 32 which are each designed as a connecting channel 32a, 32b, thus opening at different locations on the underside 25, in that it connects two valve carrier channels 15 which open out at different covered placement locations 12.

A first one (32a) of these two connection channels communicates in particular with two first working channels 15d opening out to different placement places 12 and is otherwise connected to the single control valve 4 via a further intermediate plate channel 32c in such a way that it, with appropriate switching position, with pressure medium from the common supply channel 15a can be supplied. In this way, it is possible to supply a consumer connected at the same time to the consumer connection openings 16 of both first working channels I5d with a higher flow rate or to simultaneously apply different consumers simultaneously to the pressure medium.

Especially if a relatively high fluid throughput is desired, a second connection channel 32b can open out at the underside 25 so that it communicates with the feed channel 15a both times at different placement locations 12. Another intermediate plate channel 32d connects the second connection channel 32b to the control valve 4.

In the open position of the control valve 4, not shown, pressure medium from the feed channel 15a via the second connection channel 32b and the subsequent further intermediate plate channel 32d is fed into the further intermediate plate channel 32c, from where it flows over the first connection channel 32a in the two first working channels 15d.

An intermediate plate channel 32 designed as a return channel 32e extends between the valve mounting location 27 and the underside 25 and connects the control valve 4 to a discharge channel 15b. In this way, the fluid recycling can take place from each connected consumer when the control valve 4 assumes the illustrated closed position.

Depending on the application, the first or second connection channel 32a, 32b could also be dispensed with.

If the intermediate plate 24 is equipped with at least one vacuum generating device 34, which is supplied with compressed air via the control valve 4, it is possible to apply to the correspondingly closed first and / or second working channels 15b, 15e, a negative pressure can be tapped. By a modified course of the first connection channel 32a, two working channels 15d can be connected to one and the same vacuum generator 34 at the same time.

The vacuum generating device 34 operates in particular according to the Ejektorprinzip and includes a suction nozzle, which causes a negative pressure when it is flowed through by compressed air.

In any case, can be controlled in this way by means of only a single control valve 4 of the special control unit 3b, the vacuum supply of working channels, emanating from different placement stations 12.

A particularly good performance can be achieved if two vacuum generator devices 34 are simultaneously operated via a single control valve 4, wherein at the same time a vacuum delivery is possible over two loading stations 12 away.

In the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2 extend within the intermediate plate 24, two connecting channels 32a ¹ , 32b ¹ , each one end to the one and the other end to the other valve mounting station 27 and thereby connect both control valves 4 together. A return channel 32e 'of the intermediate plate channel arrangement 28 connects one of the control valves 4 to a common discharge channel 15b of the valve carrier 2. Via a further return channel 32e ", two connections of the other control valve 4 are also connected to a common discharge channel 15c. An admission passage 32f connects the one control valve 4 to the common supply passage 15a. Finally, two are available at different placement locations 12. listening working channels 15d of the valve carrier 2 independently via one the intermediate plate 24 passing through passage 32g ^{1 connected} to one of the two control valves 4.

5 In this way, a safety circuit used in particular in presses can be realized, which only supplies pressure medium to the one working channel 15d when both control valves 4 are activated. Thus, uncontrolled working strokes of a press or other machine can be prevented.

Although the circuits described in connection with the special control units 3b can be used particularly advantageously. However, the explanation of these circuits is to be understood by way of example, and other types of circuits may readily be implemented.

Since the control valves 4 are preferably of the electrically actuated type, the transmission of the electrical control signals intended for them is recommended by means of an electrical signal transmission extending inside the valve carrier 2.

The same is indicated only schematically in the drawing and extends in particular in a valve carrier 2 in the row direction 8 passing signal transmission channel 36. At each placement space 12 is connected to the signal transmission means 35 electrical

Provided 25 see interface, which is connected via the attached intermediate plate 23, 34 passing through electrical conductor with the supported by the intermediate plate 23, 24 driving part 6 of the at least one control valve 4. In a standard control unit 3a without intermediate plate 23, the

3o drive parts 6 are connected directly to the electrical interface. At 37, in the area of the placement ze 12 provided openings of the valve support 2 can be seen, through which the electrical connection between the signal transmission device 35 and the respectively associated control unit 3 can take place.

Deviating from the embodiment, the electrical control signals could also be supplied without using the valve carrier 2, e.g. via individual cables.

The exemplary valve device allows a modular expansion. The electrical connections as well as the fluidic connections can be made via the valve carrier 2. Within a special control unit 3b quasi at least two otherwise usable for individual assembly with standard control units 3a placement places 12 summarized in the manner of a height chaining, without having to resort to external hose connections. Apart from the special control unit 3b, the valve device can be conventionally equipped, in particular it requires no modifications to the possibly used standard control units 3a.

It is readily possible to interconnect at least two consumer ports 16 to achieve increased flow. Finally, mention should also be made of the fact that, in particular in the case of an equipment with only one control valve 4, a sensor device can be accommodated in a space-saving manner in addition to this control valve 4, which monitors the operation of the control valve 4 and / or which - if it is equipped with a pressure sensor or pressure switch. can perform a pressure monitoring.

The intermediate plate channel assembly 28 does not necessarily have all of those of the intermediate plate 24 of the Special control unit 3b covered placements 12 out of leaking valve carrier channels 15 to communicate. The mouths of unneeded valve carrier channels 15 can be easily covered by the intermediate plate 24, as indicated in Figure 4 at 38. For the sealing, in particular, a seal (not shown) to be arranged between the intermediate plate 24 and the mounting surface 7 can be provided, which is also responsible for leak-free fluid transfer between the valve carrier channels 15 and intermediate plate channels 32 communicating with one another. This seal, in particular plate-shaped and / or formed on the bottom 25 is not shown in the drawing.

Claims

claims 1. Valve device, comprising a valve carrier (2), which has a component surface (7) which is divided into a plurality of sequential insertion positions (12) in a row direction (8), to each of which a plurality of valve carrier channels 5 (15) of a valve carrier (2) passing through the valve carrier channel arrangement (14) and the individually with at least one control valve (4) having control units (3) can be equipped, characterized in that the mounting surface (7) with at least one special Control unit lo (3b) is fitted, the one with its bottom (25) attached to the mounting surface (7) and thereby due to the corresponding width several immediately adjacent mounting slots (12) overlapping intermediate plate (24) from one of her covered plenum (12) interspersed with the valve carrier channel assembly (14) interconnected intermediate plate channel assembly (28) and carrying at least one of the intermediate plate channel assembly (28) connected control valve (4). 2. Valve device according to claim 1, characterized marked 20 net, that the intermediate plate channel assembly (28) at least one connecting channel (32 a ¹ , 32 b ¹ ), which connects at least two control valves (4) of the special control unit (3 b) together. 3. Valve device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the intermediate plate channel arrangement (28) comprises at least one connecting channel (32a, 32b), the at least two at different placement places (12). 5 ausmündende valve carrier channels (15) interconnects. 4. Valve device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that for each of the intermediate plate (34) covered placement locations (12) opens a connectable to a consumer individual working channel (15d, lo 15e) of the valve carrier channel assembly (14) , 5. Valve device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that for each placement space (12) at least one individual working channel (15d, 15e) of the valve carrier channel assembly (14) opens, the other end via i5 enabling the connection of a consumer Consumer connection opening (16) to an outside of the assembly surface (7) arranged outside surface of the valve carrier (2) opens. 6. Valve device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized marked 20 records that a connecting channel (32 a) of the intermediate plate (24) interconnects at least two working channels (12d) that open out at different overlapping placement locations (12). 7. Valve device according to one of claims 1 to 6, da- 25 characterized in that a valve carrier channel (15) serving as a common fluid supply to all placement places (12) serving to all placement places (12) common feed channel (15a) is formed. 8. Valve device according to claim 7, characterized in that a connecting channel (32b) of the intermediate plate (24) on at least two different of the covered placement places (12) with the common supply channel (15a) ver 5 is bound. 9. Valve device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the intermediate plate (24) is equipped with only one or two control valves (4). 10. Valve device according to claim 9, characterized gekennzeich- lo net, that at least one connecting channel (32 a ¹ , 32 b ¹ ) of the Inter-plate channel assembly (28) connects two control valves (4) together. 11. Valve device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the at least one control valve i5 (4) on the valve carrier (2) opposite upper side (26) of the intermediate plate (24) is arranged. 12. Valve device according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the intermediate plate (24) covers exactly two juxtaposed placement places (12). 20 13. Valve device according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that a plurality of special control units (3b) are arranged on the mounting surface (7). 14. Valve device according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that on the mounting surface (7) 25 at least one special control unit (3b) and at least one only one mounting surface (12) overlapping control unit (3a) are arranged simultaneously. 15. Valve device according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the intermediate plate (24) with at least one controllable by at least one of the intermediate plate (24) control valve (4) Vakuumerzeu- device (34) is equipped. 16. Valve device according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the at least one control valve (4) is of the electrically actuable type. 17. Valve device according to one of claims 1 to 16, character- ized in that the valve carrier (2) of a plurality in the row direction (8) juxtaposed valve carrier segments (22) is composed, each defining at least one of the placement places (12).